University of Virginia Library

Scena quinta.

Imperiale.
O wretched state of man, to whom the time
By nature made for ease, is found unquiet;
Sleepe, properly cald rest, who can expresse
How restles it becomes through various dreames?
Which are so strongly formed by the fancy
That though they be most false, and when we wake
Should wholly vanish, yet even then they leave
A deepe Impression in the troubled mind;
Nor doth this onely happen to weake women,
But unto men of speciall eminence,
Working vpon their hopes aswell as feares,
Who many times to their confusion
Have by such drowsie errors bin seduc'd;
Hence did Amilcar venture to assault
Strong Syracuse deluded by a dreame;
But though it be a folly beyond pardon
To venture life or fortune in pursuit
Of such a vanitie, yet in all things
Abundant warines can never hurt:
My slaue may not unfitlie be compar'd
To a tame Wolfe, or Beare, who may perchance
Resent his late sharpe castigation;
Him will I send to my owne Galley, where
He shalbe chain'd from mischiefe, and to me
Nor prove unusefull, when the smallest boudt
May eas'ly be remov'd, who would omit it?
Let others lose themselves in laborinthes
Of hidden superstition, and beleeve
The ayre to be replenished with spirits,
Who by a naturall and inherent virtue
Foreseeing things to come, and taking pity
Vpon improvident man, reveale by visions
The dangers that approach, to th'end he may
By timely care prevent his misery;
I'le not depend on such intelligence
T'informe me whether Spinola hath buried.
Or only hid, his long continued malice,
I'le fetch my preservation neerer; hence,
That shall conserve this individuall;
No man can suffer ill but from himselfe,
Fate only awes the slothfull; wisdom barres
The powerfull operation of the starres.

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